Ranks of the Civil Air Patrol
During the time that this grade is held, most Cadets undergo some form of squadron, group, and, occasionally, wing-level training in the basics of CAP and what it has to offer.
Requirements to obtain this cadet grade include a 25-question test on the fundamentals of leadership and followership taken from chapter one of "Learn to Lead, Volume 1".
completion of both the test and the optional 'interactive module' awards the cadet honor credit, allowing them to affix a silver star to the Achievement 1 ribbon.
Also included in promotion is attending at least one Moral Leadership (Character Development) session provided by the cadet's local squadron.
Cadets who have earned the Curry Achievement are eligible to attend Basic Encampment (a week-long training activity for CAP Cadets) and may also work towards their General Emergency Services (GES) rating.
Some differences though are that at this level, Cadets must pass an aerospace program along with a leadership, drill and an attempt at a physical fitness test.
Most Cadets take longer than that to reach this point and usually have a couple of groups, wing, or other, higher-level activities and experience.
Formerly the Wright Brothers Achievement (which accompanied C/SrA prior to April 2003), it was made an award to mark the completion of the first phase of the CAP Cadet Program.
The award requires passing a comprehensive, closed-book test on leadership covering the material learned over the first three achievements of the program.
The cadet must also obtain a passing physical fitness test credential, valid for 6 months, and a comprehensive drill performance test, as well as a commitment of at least eight months of active membership in Civil Air Patrol.
[citation needed] This rank was referred to as the "Charles A. Lindbergh achievement" prior to 2019, when a re-examination of Lindbergh revealed he didn't match with Civil Air Patrol's Core Values.
Lastly, like a Senior Master Sergeant, a Chief may serve as a Flight Commander if there is a shortage in officers.
One for successfully completing honor credit, and the other for earning the "Model Rocketry" badge.
Upon completing a physical fitness test, a 300-500 word essay and a speech given to the squadron[8] (and after the extra 56-day term), the cadet can earn the Neil Armstrong Achievement, which is the final achievement a cadet is able to receive before promoting on to the officer ranks.
This position can lead in PT as well as being a supervisor and teacher to the Flight Sergeants on the drill pad.
[citation needed] First sergeants do not have the authority to give Flight Commanders orders.
The insignia for this position will be similar to the equivalent rank, but with a small diamond placed in the center of the chevron to convey their role as both an S-NCO (C/MSgt, C/SMSgt, or C/CMSgt).
In order to achieve the award, cadets must pass two comprehensive, 60-minute tests with 50 questions each.
However, contrary to the active duty military, all commissioned officers have risen through all the enlisted ranks.
A silver star worn on the accompanying ribbon denotes successful completion of Cadet Officer School.
[citation needed] If the Cadet Enlists to any other branch, excluding the United States Marine Corps, they will still receive an E-3 pay grade.
At this grade they may also become a cadet executive officer.they hage to do pt|date=January 2017}} They may also serve as an aerospace education or emergency services officer.
In order to achieve the award, cadets must pass the comprehensive and timed aerospace and leadership test, as well as passing a Cadet Physical Fitness Test (CPFT), have written three Staff Duty Analyses, spent at least four months in the past grade and participated in Moral Leadership at least once since the cadet's last promotion.
At encampment or wing level a Cadet Major may serve as an Executive officer or Deputy Commander[citation needed].
Prior to 1996 this level of achievement was simply referred to as "Phase IV Completion".
[citation needed] The grade accompanies the General Ira C. Eaker Award.
To attain the rank of Cadet Colonel, cadets must devote an average of 5 years of service, complete 19 successive rank examinations, pass four promotion boards, a timed 60-question comprehensive exam on leadership theory and CAP regulations (on 1,123 pages of text), a timed, 60-question comprehensive aerospace exam (on 482 pages of text), pass a timed essay on a question of perennial moral debate where they must argue for/against an issue on moral grounds/making appeals to reason, and pass the United States Air Force Academy Candidate Fitness Assessment.
[14] Promotion through the ranks is based upon completion of Education & Training (ET) program levels, including progression along a Specialty Track and service requirements.
Upon turning 21, flight officers are automatically promoted to the appropriate rank after completion of Part one, Level 2.
[14] Current or former military personnel that hold officer grades can be promoted to the equivalent CAP officer grade up to lieutenant colonel (example a major general can only promote to CAP Lt Col) after completion of part one, Level 2.
